For people who know stuff about cars...

pa_broon74 · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Karma :

Folks.

The cylinder head gasket just went on my dad's car lastnight. Its a volvo 960 with a 2.5L I/L6 engine, manual gearbox.

I've been trawling around the internet looking for gasket kits but can't find one for this engine, I got a whiff that it may use gasket sealant as opposed to the usual card gasket but again, I can't quite confirm it.

The engine type is B6254, loads of info on other engines in the 960 but not this one. The most useful site is the thrillingly named volvoadventure.com, although it comes up in a UK search, its actually US based.

Can anyone give me clue/put me onto a site that could help? (I could just scrap the car, but its a fully loaded version, loads of gadgets that all work perfectly, would be a shame to get rid of it.)

Thanks in advance.

Thumbs Up

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nowhere.elysium · The Pork Lord Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Karma :

is this of any use?
Failing that, for lack of any other useful input, I'd suggest making one yourself out of gasket material.

Also; consorting with Volvo drivers? Heresy!
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.Chris. · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Karma :

Go to GSF car parts. If you search for the Volvo 960, then under 'engine gaskets and seals' they list:

"CYLINDER HEAD GASKET 960 2.5i 24v B6254FS 91>96"

I think that's the one you're after.
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1985 Kawasaki Z550F

nowhere.elysium · The Pork Lord Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Karma :

Whoops: I misread the one I linked as a 2.5.
Sorry Embarassed

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pa_broon74 · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Cardboard gaskets, instant gasket and gasket sealant will all be useless.

The head gasket on a car is usually made out of metal - usually copper or steel.

As someone said, go to GSF and get a head gasket from them. If you try to seal it with instant gasket or use a cardboard gasket it will just fail again immediately.
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pa_broon74 · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Karma :

Yup...

I phoned a place down south and they said it would be metal, they didn't have one in stock so went to the GSF place above...

Someone said its a ripe one for this £2000 P/X thing, I don't need a new car though and neither does my dad. Its just handy to have in emergencies. It costs a fortune to run, only gets about 15 to the gallon... Shocked

It is a nice car (even if it is a volvo,) all leather interior, 8 speaker stereo system, cruise control (which I can't get it work) and all sorts of other goodies.

Thanks again for the input. I'll probably resurrect this thread when it comes to do the work as I haven't a clue.

Cool

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flat spot · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Aug 2003 Karma :

You have tried a Volvo dealer haven't you? Confused

pa_broon74 · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Karma :

pa_broon74 · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Karma :

Mmm...

I'm now being told I need to buy replacement cylinder head bolts... £2 each but 14 are required...

Can anyone confirm if this is necessary?

If this carries on, I could end up just buying a whole car in pieces.

Laughing

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Blackwolf · Burgerfist Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Karma :

i think so yes, becasue when you bolt the engine together you stretch the bolts slightly
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10 pence Short · Crazy Courier Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Karma :

The bolts do stretch, some manufacturers give a tolerance to the stretch IE if the bolts are over ?? mm replace, not sure if thats the case with this engine, also factor in a head skim to make sure it's completely flat when you replace it, a warped head can cause the gasket to fail again very quickly.
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Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

pa_broon74 · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Karma :

I've ordered bolts anyway and I've been told of a place that can check the head for warping, they seem to be a good & trustworthy.

You know what will happen now though, I'll get to bolt number 12 or 13 and it'll jam or round off or something... Whole thing written off because of one ornery bolt.

I bet you a pound...

Wink

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chrisw · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Karma :

If the engine is 'Over Head Cam' and uses a cam belt then you will have to change the belt as well. If this is the case then it is also advisable to change any other parts driven by the belt (tensioners, water pump etc..).

It is not uncommon to have to change the bolts when you take the head off. Vauxhall engines, for example, require this. You'd have to check with the manufacturer (or a decent garage) to see if the bolts have to be replaced. If in doubt, change them.

pa_broon74 · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Karma :

Finglonga · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Karma :

WildGoose · White Van Man Joined: 21 Mar 2002 Karma :

pa_broon74 · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Karma :

Maybe...

As I said, its an old car so far from perfect in terms of mechanics. I'm not going to over analize it, just fix the problem I can see and take it from there.

I was going to say its not that complicated but I won't, because if I do it will become complicated. (Me saying it there at the beginning of the previous sentence doesn't count by the way...)

Wink

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warped one · Banned Joined: 25 Dec 2007 Karma :

It you can't get one, make one. Out of a few layers of pattern card.

Cheers

Warped
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chrisw · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Karma :

iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

thegubner · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Karma :

Not sure if it has been mentioned as i have not read the whole thread, try ringing a volvo main dealer and ask for the parts department. They should be able to provide you with the right gasket.

Failing that, try automotive firms like europarts or andrew page who seem to be nationwide, supply them with the reg and they should be able to provide all and any parts you require.

Hope that helps.

Jrod · Page 3 Girl Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

@ anyone who said make one.

If you dont replace the bolts there is a good chance they can snap when doing them up. Don't replace the cambelt and if it snaps in a few weeks you will of wasted your time and money on the headgasket.

pa_broon74 · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Karma :

Ta.

I've got a gasket on order along with bolts. Fortunately its not my main mode of transport so if it sits for a day or two its not a tragedy (although with the weather today, its hard to say...)

I was looking around and reading about torque settings for the bolts, but I think I'm going to conform to the international FT standard in terms of nut and bolt torque.

We'll see how it goes, if it doesn't work then fair do's, no harm done. I have another car sitting waiting be prepared for MOT. (I seem to be awash with motors just now, two bikes and two cars plus a transit van when needed...)

Thanks for all the advice, as I said before, the breadth & variety of advice that can be gleaned (from cam belt advice to when someone last shit themselves) is nothing short of exceedingly useful.

Laughing

OK, I give in. I'll get a cam belt too. Thumbs Up

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